FORT BENNING, Ga., (June 4, 2014) -- Get ready for what should be an interesting matchup June 5 as the Miami Heat take on the San Antonio Spurs in the sequel to last year's NBA finals.
Last year, the Heat came out on top four games to three to win the championship and this year's finals looks to be just as close.
The Spurs have played well enough to keep up with the star-powered Heat, and will be seeking a fifth NBA championship.
San Antonio last won a championship in 2007 by defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in four straight games. The leading scorer for the Cavs in that series - LeBron James, now with the Heat. James finished second in the most valuable player balloting that year, just as he did this year. An omen?
If this year's finals were a Christmas story it would most resemble scenes from Scrooge, beginning with the ghosts of playoffs past.
The Heat is only one of four teams to make the finals four consecutive seasons. They join the Boston Celtics from 1984-1987 and from 1957-1966 and the Los Angeles Lakers from 1982-1985.
Boston won an unspeakable 11 championships in 13 finals during those runs, while the Lakers won two championships in its four consecutive finals.
San Antonio lost to the Heat in last year's final, so the Spurs should be out for revenge. The Heat kept the Spurs from winning a fifth championship, so how better to win "one for the thumb" than to have a ring for every finger, and win one for the thumb, against the team that kept them from it last year.
The ghost of playoff present has brought these two teams together with two interesting story lines - a three peat for the Heat, and yes, it rhymes - or revenge for the Spurs. Pick your poison.
If you're a Heat fan, the chances of winning a third consecutive are good, especially if Spurs Tony Parker can't stay healthy.
Parker will be out on the court in Game 1 even with only four days of rest to nurse the nagging ankle and hamstring injuries. But, I would question if he can make it through every game.
If you're a Spurs fan, you're hoping your team doesn't suffer a major collapse like it did last year in Game 6 and that Parker's motivation to avenge last year's finals loss can keep him in every game.
As for the ghost of playoff future? Well, that scene is a little fuzzy, but I see a shiny championship ring going on a finger. The only thing that is crystal clear is a lot of cheering fans.
Game 1 begins at 9 p.m. June 5 and will be televised on ABC.
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